Rumor: MS To Offer HD Movie Downloads Via Live?

Rumor has it that Microsoft will begin offering downloadable HD movies later this month. At launch time- rumored to be around Nov. 22-over 1100 hours of video will be available to rent or purchase through an XBOX 360 connected to XBOX Live.

The rumor also mentions that rentals will run $4 for a 24-hour viewing period, with purchases ranging from $10-15, similar to pay per view and iTunes rates.

As the headline states, consider this a rumor for now (SHSIBAE who?), but also keep in mind that all Microsoft rumors have one thing in common: they're always true.

A 90min-2hour feature in 720p would be a huge download, several gigs, and streaming isn't an option...MS must have some new ultra-double-secret compression scheme for it, otherwise I don't see it happening.

HAHA in the words of Stephen Colbert, I CALLED IT! Who needs HD formats, digital distribution for the win!! Also, there are many compression formats that will work well, VC-9!

Oh also, you joke, but it could be streamed. I know a company that makes software that makes this possible. They can encode and decode HD on the fly, its quite amazing. Most major broadcasting networks use their software.

wmp 11 replaces the need for windows connect. and with the update it allows streaming content without media center. either way they have been working on this. if you notice the video section under console now has movies and tv listed. plus they still haven't implemented their direct tv setup yet.

haha, yah just start streaming and see what happens. The problem is by going E-dist. your stepping on a lot of toes, and really not making it easier for the consumer at all. Downloads would take forever, 10-20gb, as opposed to getting out of the house and buying something.

download the HD movie to your pc (networked to 360), or to a usb 2.0 harddrive (plug it into 360 ater download, then 360 views it as portable media device)....vala!!! no need for HD-DVD nor Bluray!!! Video streaming on the 360 does work without media enter now, thanx to te fall update!

Ok, im going to clear this up, people think it isnt possible, but HD movies CAN be streamed over Cable internet. The software is out there, and the most likely case is that the 24 hour rentals will be streamed from their servers.